Bill Allows Counties To Defer Property Taxes Of Senior Citizens

A bill that allows counties to defer property taxes of senior citizens unanimously passed the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee.

Sponsored by Sen. Clint Stennett, D-Ketchum, the bill would allow counties to grant deferrals to seniors whose income and asset values fall below a certain level. Counties would set that level and any resident who qualifies for the homeowner’s exemption and is at least 65 years old could apply for a full or partial deferral.

It would require the homeowner to use the property as a primary residence for five years before qualifying, own it free and clear, and pay the previous year’s taxes.

“It’s going to be a real social policy by the county commission to do this,” Stennett said Wednesday.

The measure is designed to protect the elderly from skyrocketing property taxes in fast-growing areas such as Blaine County and to make it easier to keep their homes.

Similar legislation died two years ago in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. Gov. Phil Batt last year vetoed a more inclusive bill that would have granted actual property tax breaks to seniors and the disabled.

Batt spokesman Frank Lockwood said the governor is willing to look at tax-relief measures this year.

“However, with the budget as tight as it is, folks that want to bring relief and lower taxes in one area need to show how they’re going to pay for it,” Lockwood said.

Counties oppose the measure, claiming it puts an unfair burden on them.

, DataTimes